Method for the formation of filaments and the like of a cellulose ester



Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES HENRI LOUIS BARTHELEMY, OF MILAN, ITALY, ASSIGNOR TO RUTHALDO COMPANY PATENT OFFICE INQ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF FILAMENTS AND THE LIKE OF A CELLULOSE ESTER No Drawing. Application filed July 28, 1927, Serial No. 209,160, and in France December 28, 1926.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing artificial threads and the like, consisting in forcing or precipitating (by any suitable means) a solution of a cellulose ether or ester into a special coagulating or precipitating liquid whose capacity to absorb the solvents contained in the filaments or the like under formation can be regulated, as regards the rate of absorption, in such manner as is required to impart the desired mechanical and physical properties to the resulting threads or the like, said effect being ensured by mixing said solvents in suitable 1 proportions.

Either the solution is forced through a suitable opening immersed in or sprayed with the special coagulating or precipitating liquid, the composition of which may be as hereinafter set forth, or more simply said solution is distributed in the form of thin layers over means (such as a flat surface, an endless band or a drum with a dull or polished surface) which is sprayed with the liquid or, as is preferred, is arranged to dip into a receptacle containing said liquid.

I have found that the coagulating or precipitating liquid may be composed of the following materials or mixtures thereof (1) Hydrocarbons boiling above 80 0.; such as toluene, the three xylenes, dimethylnaphthalene, decane, tridecane, hexadecane, terpenes, and polyterpenes.

(2) Cyclic hydrocarbons containing saturated rings; such as methylcyclohexane, tetrahydronaphthalene, decahydronaphthalene.

(3) Monohydric alcohols or polyhydric alcohols; such as ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, etc., glycol, glycerol, cyclohexanol, methylcyclohexanol, cyclohexylcarbinol, tetrahydrobetanaphthol.

(4) The esters of the monohydric alcohols; such as alkyl oleates, palmitates, and stearates, etc.

(5) Halogenated compounds; such as tri- 'chlorethylene, dichlorethylene, pentachlorethane, monochlorbenzene, the monochlortoluenes, alphabromenaphthalene, trichlorbenzene 1. 2. 3, benzylchloride, etc.

(6) Nitriles; such as benzonitrile, ortho-,

meta-, and para-toluonitriles, xylonitriles.

(7) Nitrated compounds; such as nitrobenzene and nitrotoluene.

(8) Mixtures of the above-mentioned substances in suitable proportions.

With regard to the elasticity, tenacity,

lustre, and general physical and mechanical properties of the finished products, excellent results are obtained especially by the use of mixtures of the above mentioned substances in suitable proportions.

Example the resulting thread has been collected (for instance, in the bowl of a centrifuge) the cake is rinsed with benzine and is then introduced into a dryer where the evolved vapors can be recovered for reuse. The result of the process is an elastic thread of excellent luster.

In the following claims, the organic liq uids referred to do not include either the free higher fatty acids or the glycerol esters derived therefrom.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A method of manufacturing artificial threads which consists in injecting an acetone solution of cellulose acetate into a mixture of a polyhydric alcohol and a hydrocarbon boiling above C. which mixture will extract acetone from the threads but is not a solvent of cellulose acetate, and thereafter collecting, rinsing and drying the threads thus formed.

2. A method of manufacturing artificial threads which consists in injecting filaments of an acetone solution of cellulose acetate into a mixture of a polyhydric alcohol and a hydrocarbon which are solvents of acetone but not solvents of cellulose acetate, and then collecting the resulting thread, rinsing the collected thread, and then drying the same.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRI LOUIS BARTHELEMY. 

